What about estrogen with endo?

Hi I am taking estrace 1.5 due to a TAH on july 15 2003 for sever case of endo and overian cycts. Everything was taken including cervix. Should I not be taking estrace due to having endo? Will it make the endo come back? What are my chances of this happing taking estrace? And if the endo does come back with taking this type of hormone what should I sugest to my doctor I should take? I have noticed hot flashes if I wait to take my next dose too long so I know I need the hormone. Now I am wondering about this. I to prevent the endo from comming back.

What does your dr recommend? You could get with him and try to take the lowest possible dosage. Maybe progesterone cream will keep the endo from returning as well. Please talk to dr about this.

s

well my doc was the one that started me on this estrace 1.5 one a day and he was the one that did the tah so I figure he knows what he is doing right? Well at least I hope. And I do think he took the endo into consideration when he started me on this as I was FULL of it when he did the tah. I even had it on my bladder and my bowel and on my intestines. So I PRAY to GOD that this estrace will not make it come back. HE also took both overies and the cervix do to the endo and he said my chances of not getting it back is better. So I guess the question I am trying to ask is has anyone out here had return of the endo after the orveries that was producing the endo have been removed and been put on estrogen. And if so what are the chances of getting it back if I continue taking the estrace. After all wasnt the estrace I was producing on my on causing the endo and if so why keep giving me that hormone? SO many questions so few answears. Please help.

Hi goomphy,

The gyns simply do not all agree on the treatment post hyst for ladies who had endo. Some gyns put their patients on estrogen immediately after surgery. Some gyns have their patients wait several months before starting estrogen in the event that endo remnants might have been missed during surgery and as an extra precaution. Estrogen is believed to stimulate endometriosis, so some gyns want that extra time without estrogen to ensure that all the endo is gone. Some ladies find that the endo does grow back after having their uterus and ovaries removed ... even if they haven't taken any estrogen for several months post op.

Because they really don't know for certain what causes endo (retrograde menstrual bleeding, autoimmune disease, etc.) different gyns have different treatment protocols that they prefer. You are very young (23, right?) so having your ovaries removed at this age and not taking estrogen would be a very big shock to your body. For older gals who are closer to menopause, the estrogen levels may have dropped significantly even before a hyst and ovary removal, so the "instant menopause" may not be as severe.

You are very early in your recovery right now. You need to give your body time to heal. Start writing down all your questions for your follow up doctor visit. Hopefully you won't have any recurrance of the endo. But ask your gyn about treatment options, in the event that you do have a recurrance. Meanwhile, please take it easy and try not to worry. Sending hugs your way.

Beth

My Drs. theory on hormones after surgery was try them. If endo comes back you can stop taking them. Which it did but I understand that is not always the case. I have had to stop taking hormones for now but he says we will try again in a few months and see if endo has dried up. I sure hope so because the insomnia and hotflashes are killer. Hope everything works out for you.